A woman has died after a tiger grabbed her by the head while she slept and dragged her nearly 300 metres into the darkness, officials said.
Sugni Bai Dhurve, believed to be in her 30s, suffered catastrophic head injuries after the big cat entered her village in India's Madhya Pradesh state during the early hours of Sunday.
Attack in buffer zone
The attack happened at around 1.30am in Parrapur Baigatola village, located in the Khapa range of Kanha National Park's buffer zone.
According to villagers, the tiger entered the settlement while Dhurve was asleep inside her hut before seizing her by the head and dragging her away, India Today reported.
Villagers' response
Hearing desperate cries for help from her family, villagers rushed to the scene carrying torches in an attempt to scare the animal away. Residents said the tiger dragged the woman for hundreds of metres before abandoning her and disappearing back into the forest.
Dhurve was rushed to hospital in Baihar with severe head injuries but was later pronounced dead, according to Block Medical Officer Dr Anant Lilhare.
Official response
Assistant Director of the Sijhora Buffer Zone, Ashish Pandey, confirmed the fatal attack and said a detailed report would be prepared following an investigation. Police have registered a case of accidental death while inquiries continue.
Forest officials said the village has experienced repeated incursions by tigers and leopards in recent months, raising concerns over the safety of residents living close to the forest.
Emergency measures
Authorities have announced a series of emergency measures following the attack, including installing a capture cage in the area, increasing forest patrols and urging residents to keep doors shut at night. Officials have also advised villagers to avoid entering nearby forests and not to leave children or elderly relatives unattended.
The victim's family will receive financial assistance in line with government compensation schemes. Local representatives have claimed the family lived in a hut without a door and alleged they had not benefited from a central government programme designed to improve living conditions for vulnerable tribal communities.
